Believe it or not, in today's business climate, customer portals are essential for building your customer base. 

This is because a customer portal simplifies your customer service system and improves customer engagement and retention.

Surprisingly enough, you can get them for free.

Yes, you can get customer portal software open source from the internet without worrying about payment.

Despite these perks, many corporations that offer online goods and services must leverage customer portal software.

Only 10 percent of online businesses provide self-help tools like customer portals, according to http://Liveagent.com.

Additionally, only 64 percent of customer service teams use customer portals compared to 84 percent of clients who use customer portals.

Now, that's a huge problem. Why do I say so?

The customer acquisition process in today's competitive online business world is very tedious. More than that, it's super expensive.

You must retain and manage your existing customer base to scale your company. 

Oddly enough, it's not complicated. There are lots of top-quality open-source customer portal software. 

And you know what else? There are lots of merits attached to using them. That's where this article fits in.

This article outlines ten fascinating reasons to use Customer Portal Software Open Source for your business.

But stick with me here. Let's discuss some basic concepts that will help you understand the benefits of customer portal software to your business:

• What is an open-source software
• What is open-source customer portal software
• Features of a customer portal software
• 10 Fascinating Reasons to Use Customer Portal Software Open Source
• Top client gateway software 
• which customer portal software is the best
• Why ClientVenue is the best open-source customer portal software

What is open-source software?

Open source software (OSS) is non-proprietary software with source code that is publicly accessible. It can be used, modified, and distributed at no cost.

Usually, open-source software is released under an open-source license. The owner or group grants public users rights to utilize, modify and distribute the software.

Another prerequisite of an open-source version of commercial software is that it allows qualified users to participate in its development. That is to say, capable users can tailor its functionalities to suit their desires.

Look at it this way: Assume you have a fantastic project idea. You want it to be available for public use with no cost attached.

And after development, you decide against commercialization. The problem will be how to give out your intellectual property at your term.

The most logical course of action is to get an open-source license to achieve your aim.

Exempting the fact that it is for public use, free software allows your project source code to be modified or distributed under specific terms and conditions.

What is open-source customer portal software?

Don't even try to deny it: customer support services are one of the most strenuous aspects of any business.

Unsurprisingly, it also is one of the most critical parts of their business growth.

In short, your business is doomed to fail without customer support service.

Fortunately, there is good news. Technology has evolved to streamline the customer support system.

Customer gateway software is a technology that has evolved to simplify customer support systems.

In other words, customer portals are internet-based services that allow businesses to automate communication processes between them and their clients. But that's not all.

Customer portals provide businesses with secure digital gateways and storage space to share documents and information with their customers.

With client gateway software, your customers can do the following:

• Track projects
• manage team activity
• track payments 
• track support requests
• Share and edit files
• download help documentation
• document management
• Access community forums and FAQs

Now, what's open-source customer portal software?

It's simple. Open-source customer support software is non-proprietary software. Its source code is publicly accessible and can be used, modified, and distributed at no cost.

Features of a customer portal software

Customer portal software is essential for any company intent on growing and retaining its customer base.

However, the current market is awash with lots of similar marketing tools. As a result, selecting a customer portal software that suits your needs takes a lot of work. 

It may not be a linear process, but it's simple. You have to study the features.

The truth is that the more features a client gateway has, the better.

On that note, here are some features of customer portal software you should keep an eye out for:

• Personalized portal for each client
• distinct login details for each customer
• client access
• File management and sharing 
• security
• search engine optimization
• Community forums 
• AI-powered communication tools (calls and chat)
• AI-powered analytics/reports 
• Good user interface and advanced search system
• Brand customization
• Invoices and billing 

Also read: Top 6 Best Customer Portal Solutions You Need To Try.

10 Fascinating Reasons to Use Customer Portal Software Open Source

1. Helps to reduce customer support workload

A customer portal is an efficient integration of customer services. It helps your customers gain access to the following:

• Community forums
• Self-service dashboards
• Creation and tracking of ticket forms

When your customers use these features, it reduces the workload on your customer support team and improves client experience simultaneously.

For instance, a customer with a question about a specific product service can browse previous questions to see if they are already solved.

Reduced workload allows your customer support team to focus on more complex tasks.

2. Enhance overall customer experience

A good client gateway software allows your clients to access your self-service knowledge bases such as FAQS, documentation, and guides.

These services help to enhance clients' overall experience. How?

The latest self-service system allows customers to solve minor issues independently instead of calling your customer support team.

Similarly, forums, blogs, tutorial videos, and FAQS help your customer conveniently learn about your products.

These factors combine to boost the experience of customers unwilling to spend time and resources contacting your customer support team 

3.  Improves customer retention

Success in any business relies on building and retaining your customer base.

A customer support platform will simplify the process. Why do I say so?

Your customer gateway avails your customer with the tools and knowledge they need to complete various tasks without ado.

As a result, these customers can get things done when and how they want. Thus, they will find no reason to search for new solutions elsewhere.

4. Increases customer engagement

As an organization, you want your customer service to be as efficient and responsive as possible.

Yet, this is only sometimes possible due to factors that preclude planning and foresight.

Customer portals make this possible. It automates most tasks in a central system.

For instance, customer gateway software can help you streamline communication tasks with AI chatbots.

In addition, it makes sure certain information and knowledge are available on FAQS and community forums.

5. Builds customer loyalty

Customer portal software makes it possible to provide clients with 24/7 customer care.

This feature creates trust, transparency, and interaction between you and your customers. It ensures customer satisfaction.

Here's another way to think about it: your customer support software reduces the need for time-consuming calls. It allows your customers to independently track the progress of their requests, projects, and deliverables in real time.

So how does this build loyalty?

Complete transparency and interaction create trust between you, your customers, and other users. 

This trust induces a form of brand awareness and brand loyalty. Which are worth considering positive brand experience examples.

6. Gives analytical insight into custom behavior

One significant advantage of using customer portal software is it allows you to monitor customer behavior via specific metrics.

It helps you understand how customers interact with products and services on your sites. 

This feature helps track behavioral similarities and their effects on sales, growth, and satisfaction.

In addition, it can show you when and how to improve your user interface.

Similarly, your customer portal allows users to lodge complaints and ask questions on community forums. 

These questions and complaints are a great way to learn how to improve your product and services.

For instance, data or complaints on a failed product, service, or article can be used to improve your existing products.

7.  Increases staff productivity

Productivity is essential for maintaining project momentum. It is mostly about efficient time management and optimized work output.

Customer portals reduce the number of ticket forms, calls, and emails from customers. It does so by boosting customer self-service and task automation.

As a result, your customer support team is less stressed out and can perform more complex tasks optimally.

8. Reduces security risks

Cyber security is crucial for companies in today's digital market.

Customer portal software employs firewalls, endpoint management, and malware protection to protect confidential information.

It ensures your customer's sensitive information isn't shared outside the platform.

It allows your customer to access your goods and services freely. Also, they can interact on community forums with the knowledge that their data, files, and information are safe.

Additionally, client gateway software helps your business to carry out transactions and store customers' financial details with little to no risk.

9. Improves client relationships

Customer gateways allow you to understand your customers better. It provides you with information on their needs and requirements.

This information allows you to tailor your products and services to their needs and budget.

For instance, if you own an online retail shop, your customer portal can help you monitor products that interest a particular customer.

Thus, you can save time by showing products that suit the criteria. 

This feature improves customer satisfaction. It incorporates customer convenience with your services.

10. It is cost-effective

It is true: setting up a customer portal for your business is expensive. But that's not the whole story.

The long-term benefits of using a customer portal far outweigh the initial cost.

Customer gateways streamline customer services. As a result, it saves time, effort, and, most importantly, money.

Also, customer portals help to build relationships and retain your customer base. 

This is important. Why? 

The cost of customer acquisition is higher and constantly growing.

It costs five times more to attract a new customer than to keep an old one.

To make matters worse, between 2014 to 2019, the cost of customer acquisition grew by approximately 60%.

Customer portals save you the stress of acquiring and losing new clients simultaneously.

Additionally, there are benefits attached to the economies of scale because an increase in staff productivity and growth in the customer base reduces the cost of production and boosts production.

Top client gateway software

Now that you know the benefits of client gateway software to your brand. You must also know the top client gateway software in the market.

I have outlined the top 10 open-source customer portal software that you should consider:

1. Odoo
2. SuiteCRM
3. Vtiger
4. ConcourseSuite
5. EspoCRM
6. Axelor
7. Corteza
8. X2CRM
9. OSticket
10. CiviCRM

Check this out: The 10 Best Customer Portal Open Source for Making Clients Happy

Which customer portal software is the best?

At this point, it is unsurprising if you want to know the best open-source customer portal software for your business.

I hate to say this, but I have to.

No open-source customer gateway software will suffice for all your business needs.

That's not to say they are not good. No.

The problem is that they need to be better for today's competitive business world.

The open-source version of commercial software requires a strong team of developers. With a strong team of developers in your organization, you will be able to solve minor issues. Why?

That's because open-source version software does not have a customer support team

Here's the silver lining: There is valuable and affordable customer portal software for all your requirements.

ClientVenue, the preferred choice of giants in the digital marketing world. 

ClientVenue is the best customer portal software. It is a complete combination of a project management application and client gateway software on the same platform.

This client management tool offers good value for your money.

Subscribe to any of the ClientVenue pricing plans; trust me, you won't regret it.

Why ClientVenue is the best open-source customer portal software

In all, I have outlined the top open-source customer portal software. Also, I have told you the best option for your business. But I didn't tell you why. 

That's what I am about to do. Let's dive in.

ClientVenue is the best open-source customer portal software because it has unique features you won't find anywhere else. 

Here are some of the features that make it unique:

• Real-time project tracking
• Payment tracking
• Request tracking
• Manage Services
• File Sharing
• Customization/Personalisation
• App Integration

Project tracking

Customers prioritize the ability to track the progress of their projects.

ClientVenue has got you covered.

It allows your customers to track the progress of different projects simultaneously.

Payment tracking

Complete transparency and trust are essential for customer retention.

Client Venue allows your customer to access invoices and payments. This helps them to keep track of expenditures.

Request tracking

ClientVenue values customer satisfaction.

With ClientVenue customer portal software, your customers can raise new requests and track previous requests with little more than a click.

Manage Services

ClientVenue is all about convenience and efficiency.

With ClientVenue customer portal software, customers can activate and pay for services and products.

File Sharing

ClientVenue allows you to send and receive files with your customers effortlessly and securely.

This helps to streamline your working process and improves productivity.

Customization/Personalisation

Client Venue allows you to tailor the customer portal to suit your brand's taste.

You can change the color scheme, logo, and overall aesthetics to match your desired outcome.

App Integration

ClientVenue understands the need to carry out several tasks on a single platform.

For that reason, it seamlessly integrates with a variety of third-party applications.

Storage Space

Have you ever felt heart-wrenching when you know your storage space is insufficient? Constantly optimizing and deleting files to find nonexistent storage space.

Well, it's time to leave all that behind you. ClientVenue offers 100GB of storage space that recognizes every file format in the market.

Comments and Approvals

The capabilities for approvals and comments are helpful for granting specific fields access to internal and external team members.

Pricing

ClientVenue offers a transparent and practical pricing plan. Its pricing plans allow you to pay for features you use selectively.

With ClientVenue, you get extra value for your money. So go ahead and try its pricing plans before it's too late.

It offers 14 days Free Trial for both the plans. You can also get 2 months free if you choose yearly subscription plan.

Conclusion

The marketing world has evolved towards customer self-service. This is made possible by customer portal software.

You should visit ClientVenue for a free trial and to take advantage of the best offers on subscription plans, in my opinion.

However, exempting those at the top, most companies are reluctant to embrace this change fully.

If you are still determining the benefits of customer portal software to your business, then you need to consider the reasons above as it concerns your business.